Celia Dial Saxon

Saxon was born into slavery in Columbia, South Carolina.^[3][1] In 1877 she enrolled in the Normal school of the South Carolina College.^[5] Saxon taught in Columbia, South Carolina, for 55 years^[1] and in 1929 a school was renamed the Saxon School.^[2]

Saxon was active in the Woman's club movement and specifically was concerned about the welfare of women and girls.^[5] She put that concern into action by being one of the founders of the Fairwold Industrial Home for Negro Girls in Lexington County, South Carolina.^[1][6]

Other clubs that Saxon belonged to included; the Palmetto State Teachers' Association,^[5] the Culture Club,^[5] the Lend-a-Hand Club,^[5] the South Carolina Federation of Colored Women's Clubs,^[5] and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.^[5]

In 1926 Saxon was awarded an Honorary Masters of Arts degree from the State Agricultural and Mechanical College at Orangeburg.^[5]

Saxon died on January 29, 1935, in Columbia, South Carolina.^[1]